Starting a "new" film based SLR system (Nikon)

[BNF]

I've recently joined the G2 world and enjoy using the camera and like my results.

-- I'll admit I'm a bit of a camera junkie. --

I'm interested in the Nikon FM3a/FM2n. I just really like the process of working with full metal gear. I am a hobbyist and do not shoot massive amounts of film (or digital) at all.

I could arrange a nicely equipped Nikon system for under $1000. Money is always a factor, but not as critical as having "another" system just sitting in a bag.

Anyone else been tempted lately into starting a parallel film system at a bargain basement price? What made you do it? Or, what kept you away?

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I like my Olympus SLR system for much the same reasons that you're looking into Nikon.

 

[Leighgion]

The Nikon F-mount is my mainstay in film and digital. I have a number of nice, metal barreled AIS lenses. I can recommend them well as workhorses.

I also got into medium format with a Mamiya M645 Super kit that came at a great price, so my answer's yes, I've been tempted and I gave in to the lure of the big negative.

 

[peterm1]

When I first got interested in Nikon kit some years ago I found a very nice black late Nikkormat FTN at a bargain basement price. I started buying non AI lenses partly because these were invariably the cheapest Nikon lenses on the market and partly because I liked the look of their full metal design.

A little later I started buying more AI lenses too when I realised that these could be used on Nikon digital bodies. So I have a reasonable range of Nikon manual focus lenses and a nice body to use them on when I am of a mind to shoot film and some nice manual lenses capable of shooting on my digital body.

 

[gavinlg]

My dream film SLR kit is a f3hp with zeiss lenses. The 18mm zf, the 25mm, the 35mm, the 85 and the 100 makro planar.

If I had money that would be the ticket. The f3hp is such a sweet sweet camera.

 

[Sparrow]

I had I used OMs since 1972 but I bought my first non OM SLR a few months back, a Nikkormat so I could try some of the more renowned Nikon lenses, and now if I can find a nice dentists F or F2 with a plain prism I may upgrade to one of those. The f2.5/105 is a nice bit of kit, and the bog-standard f2/50 impressed

 

[Parkes Owen]

I'm interested in the Nikon FM3a/FM2n. I just really like the process of working with full metal gear. I am a hobbyist and do not shoot massive amounts of film (or digital) at all.
[/QUOTE]

I`ve had my fm2n for over 10 years and it`s been all over the world many times and never missed a beat. I only have two lenses for it, a 24/ 2.8 and a ZF 50mm 1,4 but thats all I need. I don`t use it that much (damn d200!) but when I do, it makes me think, wow, a real camera! It`s just so nice and simple to use, highly recommended indeed.😉

 

[kshapero]

I have a Nikkormat FTN with a 50mm/f1.4 bought new in (I think) 1974. It has been through storms, boulders, mud, etc. Has worked like a top since day one. metal, metal, heavy, metal.

 

[titrisol]

GOOD CHOICE!
The FM are excellent cameras, but an F3HP was the dream metal camera.

I would look a bit further into the AF SLRs, the F4 or so.
You'll need a few lenses and the Nikkors are superb.
I would go for the 28/2.8 (AIS or AF)
50/1.4
Micro 55/2.8 AIS or the newer versions
135/2.8
200/4

that should cover most bases, but if you want to go wider the 18mm was an absolute beauty.

 

[thawkins]

I was a college freshman (mid sixties) when I purchased my first camera. It was a Kodak Retina 1a. A year later, feeling the need for something modern I saved and acquired a Miranda F. The Miranda soldiered into the mid-seventies and was replaced with an SRT101 purchased in the exchange of the naval base where I was stationed. In the following years, I added all sort of neat MC and MD lens. About ten years ago, I was once again feeling the need for something "modern" so a Pentax MX50 came as a Christmas present. I just couldn't cotton to the cheap plastic feel of the modern polycarbonate body, so I gave it to our daughter. I had the SRT101 and it's lens all CLAed and have never looked back (or forward) again. The 101 doesn't get used very much as I usually reach for the M3, QL17, Zorki or the Retina 1a or 2a when going our with a camera.

 

[Bassism]

If you're interested in buying into an SLR system, I would suggest you take a look at Pentax. The LX offers a rugged, professional body in a small, comfortable package. Or you could always go for one of the standard Pentax staples like the MX or K1000. The Pentax glass is vastly underrated.

Perhaps most interestingly about Pentax, they offer full compatibility and functionality between every lens they've ever made on every digital body, should you ever wish to upgrade to one. Entry level Nikon digital bodies can't meter with old lenses, and I believe you are required to check a large lookup table to see if the lens will even work on a given body.

 

[oftheherd]

I am one of the dinasaurs who never really left film. In SLRs I still enjoy my Fujicas and my Yashica FX 103. I am also learning to enjoy my Kiev 4am. Other than P&S I never made the switch to digital that I thought I couldn't wait to get into. Of course I also like my MF gear.

 

[Ken Ford]

I dabble in OMs; Nikons are my "normal" SLRs.

A few questions for BNF:

* Do you want or need metering in the body?
* Is size and weight a factor in choosing a body?
* Do you plan on motorizing the body?

 

[chris91387]

Nikon FA, FM2, F3 and looking into a FM3A. i love my nikkor glass and have found enjoyment lately in the series e lenses which are very light weight and pretty compact. little on the slow side but they give nice results and are very cheap. some of the old vivitar series 1 lenses are nice as well. i'm looking into the new zeiss lenses. i think i'll start with the 50/1.4 then try either the 28 or 85.

what i really want is the equivalent of, say, a nikon fm-ish body but in digital. i don't want a myriad of menus, built in flash, autofocus, etc. i want a simple digitial camera with manual focus that can take my f-mount glass.

- chris

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Over the passed year and half I found 3 working OM cameras and 6 lenses at local thrifts at bargain prices. I added one lens & filters. I was unaware: Does Zeiss make lenses to fit the Nikon F-3hp?

 

[Gumby]

I'm interested in the Nikon FM3a/FM2n. I just really like the process of working with full metal gear. I am a hobbyist and do not shoot massive amounts of film (or digital) at all.
(snip)
Anyone else been tempted lately into starting a parallel film system at a bargain basement price? What made you do it? Or, what kept you away?

Starting from the last questions to the first... some of us never left the film world!

Re: FM's... good choice. If you want a little more automation at the same price (maybe even less) you might consider the F3.

 

[chris91387]

Over the passed year and half I found 3 working OM cameras and 6 lenses at local thrifts at bargain prices. I added one lens & filters. I was unaware: Does Zeiss make lenses to fit the Nikon F-3hp?

yes, and other mounts as well:
http://www.zeiss.com/photo

 

[Frank Petronio]

The F3 with either the High Eyepoint or regular finder WITHOUT the motor drive is not that much larger or heavier than an FM-series. But it seems like a lot of F3s have electronic problems so right now I am watching for a clean, inexpensive F100 to come along, since they are new enough not to have corroded themselves into uselessness.

The other one to get is a F2 with the standard non-metered prism -- much more compact than their giant "obsolete" prisms. That's their best mechanical camera.

 

[Tuolumne]

I have had the Nikon FE, FE2, and now the FM3a. It's a wonderful camera. It's mostly been supplanted by my Leicas (and digital) for the last few years, but I'm slowly getting back to it. The 105mm f2.5 lens is a killer. Gotta love it. I'm also wanting a 105mm micro-nikkor for macro photography, but it's taken second place to a number of recent digital additions (Lumix G1) to my camera collection. Hopefully, one of these days I'll get one.

/T

 

[Gumby]

The F3 ...have corroded themselves into uselessness.

That's funny. I love creative exaggeration!

It's true that there are many F3's out there that have been used to the point of unusable, but "corroded into uselessness" isn't the failrue mode. There are two things to watch out for: LCDs that are 'burned out', generally only partially; and the (can't remember the 3-letter initial) variable resistor for ASA (under the hot shoe). Both are quite noticable if they have failed.